The Trustees and Staff of ACCORD extends its best wishes to H.E. Quett Ketumile Joni Masire, the former President of Botswana, on the celebration of his 90th Birthday. African Patriot, Statesman and Peace Maker!

Each year on Mandela Day ACCORD practically supports the work of an NGO or community, boosting their efforts to make an impact. For the 2015 Mandela Day, ACCORD supported the Gandhi Development Trust in the rehabilitation of the Phoenix Settlement in Inanda.

This settlement, established in 1904 by Mahatma Gandhi himself, originally housed a printing press for a community newspaper, a clinic, a school a museum and homes, including Ghandi's cottage. During the apartheid era it was an important resistance site, hosting meetings of activists. The site is currently used for lectures on the significance and role of Mahatma Gandhi in South Africa's history, and houses museums, a clinic run by the Department of Health and an Early Childhood Development training programme.

ACCORD staff in front of Mahatma Gandhi's house

A team of almost thirty ACCORD staff assisted the Trust by cleaning and repainting the amphitheatre where presentations are given to visiting dignitaries, school groups and organisations. In addition, the external surfaces of the rebuilt cottage and surrounding walls were similarly refurbished, accompanied by much chatting, laughter and perspiration.

Amphitheatre, before painting

Amphitheatre, ready for more visitors!

ACCORD would like to gratefully acknowledge and thank our kind sponsors who partnered with us on this 2015 Mandela Day with materials, donations and logistics: Aqua Transport, Light House Cabs, Remail-It, Plant Décor, Unicopy, Jetline, In Gear, KwikSpar and Process Litho. Their support enabled us to do more!

Walkway walls, before painting

Walkway walls, after painting

ACCORD was privileged to practically support the efforts of the Gandhi Development Trust to educate individuals and communities, including the immediate surrounding community, on how the values, practical example and writings of Mahatma Gandhi are still relevant to South Africa and the world today.

]]>david@thinkteam.co.za (David Katz)GeneralTue, 21 Jul 2015 11:49:00 +0200Vasu Gounden appointed to serve on the South African Council on International Relations (SACOIR)http://accord.org.za/news/248-executive/1356-vasu-gounden-appointed-to-serve-on-the-south-african-council-on-international-relations-sacoir
http://accord.org.za/news/248-executive/1356-vasu-gounden-appointed-to-serve-on-the-south-african-council-on-international-relations-sacoir

The Founder and Executive Director of ACCORD, Vasu Gounden, has been appointed by the Government of South Africa to serve on the South African Council on International Relations (SACOIR). ACCORD congratulates former Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Aziz Pahad, on his appointment as Chair of SAICOR. Mr Pahad has for some years acted as ACCORD's senior political advisor. The Council was officially launched in Pretoria by the South African Minister of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane.

SACOIR has been established under the umbrella of DIRCO to serve as an avenue for South Africa's non-State actors to interface with DIRCO on the development and implementation of South Africa's foreign policy.

The appointment to serve on SACOIR is for three years and the Council will consist of twenty five members drawn from a wide spectrum of South African society including Civil Society; Academia; Business; Labour and national Departments. SACOIR will consist of members who have a proven and clear understanding of South Africa's foreign policy and the manner in which its international relations are conducted.

SACOIR's objectives will be to provide a platform for the generation of public debate on foreign policy; provide a consultative forum for the regular review of South Africa's foreign policy; and to advise the Minister.

In 2012 Mr Gounden was Invited by the then South African Minister of Foreign Affairs to serve on a Task Team to review the National Development Plan towards 2030 for South Africa. In 1996 Gounden was one of two South Africans nominated by the South African Government to serve on the Commonwealth Secretary General's Good Offices Forum to mediate in international conflicts. In the same year he was also appointed onto the government established Study Group on Future Challenges to South Africa's Science and Technology and in 1995 was appointed onto the Board of Trustees of the Foundation for Global Dialogue (now the Institute for Global Dialogue), established to promote South Africa's international relations.

The Training for Peace (TfP) Programme at ACCORD participated in a TfP Research Network Dissemination Seminar to present and discuss the different research findings and recommendations that emerged from the various research on policing conducted in Mali, Somalia and Darfur; focused on three peacekeeping missions.

These are the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA); the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM); and the African Union/United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID). As part of the research process, TfP Partners engaged with the African Union (AU) in discussing the key findings and recommendations that emerged from the three case studies in order to support policy and training processes so as to improve the police component of Africa's peace support operations.

The meeting facilitated joint discussions amongst partners on strategies and approaches needed to strengthen the police dimension of peacekeeping, particularly in the context of Africa. TfP/ACCORD presented on findings related to UNAMID police capacity to protect civilians and implement UN Security Council Resolution 1325, and contributed to the debate and in discussions on producing a synthesis report of the three research case studies. On the final day of the meeting, TfP partners briefed the AU on the findings of the research, and engaged the AU on how best the AU will be involved in such research in future.

Partner institutions represented discussed crucial recommendations from the research findings that would help shape their programmes to better support the police, military and civilian component of peace operations. These include: ways in which the different case study reports can be published as one comprehensive document; all outstanding issues relating to the 2014 joint research processes; and the various 2015 programmes/activities of the Programme.

The engagement of TfP/ACCORD in the TfP Research Network Dissemination Seminar sought to contribute towards the development of a multi-dimensional and integrated approach to African peace operations.

The Training for Peace Programme at ACCORD is an initiative funded by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The recruitment and deployment of civilian personnel for peace and security operations has largely been managed on an ad hoc basis with interested applicants applying directly in their personal capacity to the African Union Commission (AUC), resulting in numerous challenges related to the timely recruitment and deployment of these needed expert civilian personnel at short notice, hence, the need to better plan for and manage such deployments. In particular, there has been recognition of the need to develop a dedicated pool of trained civilian experts for deployment at very short notice in field missions. The expertise of this pool will be captured in the African Standby Capacity (ASC) roster.

Following an Integrated Human Resources and Database Training Course held in Nairobi, Kenya in March 2015, the African Union Peace Support Operations Division (AU PSOD) in close collaboration with Regional Economic Community (RECs) and Regional Mechanisms (RMs) finalised all components of the African Standby Capacity (ASC) roster. Completion of the first phases of the development of this tool paved way for the next phase of populating the roster by the Focal Points who are the operators and its usage as a capacity for peace and security operations deployments.

As such the ASC roster was launched and processes to populate it with the requisite experts were discussed in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia from 24-25 June 2015. The meeting aimed to (a) present the ASC roster to all stakeholders, (b) develop a common implementation plan for populating the roster and building the database, (c) develop broad key priorities for the ASC roster for 2015, and (d) facilitate networking among stakeholders. The roster Focal Points within the RECs/RMs will be responsible for populating the ASC roster with the collaboration and assistance of the AU. The next significant steps include the population of the ASC roster by the AU, RECs/RMs rostering Focal Points by using the available tools i.e. the roster and database; raising awareness through an outreach exercise to all the ASC Member States, Training Centres and Civil Society. Furthermore, addressing the challenges faced on rostering and training linkages still require further assistance by the AU. The AU and other stakeholders will continue supporting the REC/RMs in developing regional rostering strategies that will ensure Member States' full participation and contribution.

While the roster system is a state of the art tool, its usefulness will depend on the quality of the qualified experts to be registered therein. To achieve this, the roster Focal Points will require extended institutional support in raising the awareness of the ASC roster at the Member State levels and the general public as this will subsequently contribute towards attracting experts who will have interest in working in peace and security field missions.

This initiative is in line with the TfP Programme's strategic goal of supporting efforts towards strengthening the AU's capacity and capability to plan, manage and implement peace support operations on the continent through the development of the Africa Standby Force (ASF). This initiative also seeks to contribute to improved and sustainable capacity for peace operations on the continent, through ensuring effective functioning of organisational systems in the RECs/RMs.

The Training for Peace Programme at ACCORD is an initiative funded by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

With the aim of supporting Madagascar to define its Peacebuilding Priorities to be funded by the United Nations Peacebuilding Fund (PBF) and other donors, ACCORD trains Malagasy CSOs and facilitates Conflict Analysis for multi-stakeholder actors.

The choice of ACCORD to facilitate these two important workshops is predicated by the United Nations Peacebuilding Support Office's (PBSO) conviction that ACCORD's twenty three year (1992-2015) track record in conflict management across Africa, its engagements in Madagascar since the 2009 Political instability, as well as its neutrality and impartiality were key characteristics needed.

ACCORD the PBSO, the Madagascar United Nations Country Team (UNCT) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) facilitated discussions amongst an inclusive group of Malagasy stakeholders on the opportunities for peace following years of political instability.

The twin workshops facilitated by ACCORD, namely CSOs on Peacebuilding Opportunities and the interest of the PBSO in Madagascar (4 May 2015); and the Multi-stakeholder Prioritization Workshop (6-8 May 2015), which helped to orientate the country's leading political and non-state actors on a path of talking peace and seizing the opportunities for peacebuilding were unique in many ways because they culminated with Madagascar demonstrating its readiness to lead its peacebuilding process. Key amongst derivatives from these workshops were a Priority List for Peacebuilding funding which has now been submitted for the PBF consideration. ACCORD will continue to follow the political developments in Madagascar, and working with Malagasy stakeholders to sustain peace dividends remains a strategic operational goal of ACCORD.

For more information on this important volume, please contact the Coordinator of ACCORD's Peacebuilding Unit, Mr John Ahere john@accord.org.za or Senior Researcher, Charles Nyuykonge on charlesn@accord.org.za

The Humanitarian Affairs Division within the Department of the Political Affairs of the African Union Commission organized a consultative meeting from 26-27 May 2015 which was held in Midrand, South Africa for the Southern Africa Regional for the Development of a Common African Position on Humanitarian Effectiveness. ACCORD/TfP attended the Consultation, having been involved in humanitarian effectiveness, more particularly in relation to peacekeeping issues and protection of civilians. The consultation follows the 2013 Civil Military Coordination Roundtable which aimed at examining the progress on Civil-Military Coordination (CIMIC) on the African environment.

The Consultations brought together Southern Africa member states and civil society to discuss the emerging issues within the global and humanitarian landscape specific to their regional context. The effects of implementing Regional consultations will give chance to Africa in order to strengthen and provide greater cooperation in shaping a future humanitarian system that is rooted in values that put humanity at the centre. Furthermore, the Consultation aimed to lay emphasis on a future humanitarian architecture that is more relevant, timely, effective, efficient and fit for future challenges.

The current humanitarian assistance model is guided by a framework provided in the United Nations General Assembly Resolution 46/182. However, the landscape of humanitarian action has changed over the years. The growth of the scope and diversity of humanitarian needs and more complex operating environments have created new risks. Moreover, the changing nature of conflicts and patterns of displacement have created complex crises. Therefore, new ways of humanitarian action, particularly in expanding the humanitarian space to ensure access; enforcement on International Humanitarian Law (IHL); use of innovation and technology; creating new partnerships and financing; and enhanced role of local communities are needed. As such, the mandate for a common African position regarding its engagement on global issues has undoubtedly and rightfully grown over the years. The African Union continues to seek an enhanced role to emphasise its position, priorities and the manner in which international governance architecture is organised around security, social, economic and political issues.

The common African position on humanitarian effectiveness is to be submitted to the 2016 World Humanitarian Summit which will be held in Turkey in 2016. The Summit comes at a time when the AU is pursuing her own humanitarian agenda encapsulated in Vision 2063 and Common African Position on post-2015. This is also at a time when Africa is faced with growing challenges. At the end of the Consultations, vital recommendations were presented, and participants were able to develop a summary report to be considered during the High Level Platforms and Consultations which will be held later in 2015. This was not only to reaffirm the Southern Africa region's commitment to dealing with challenges regarding humanitarian issues, but to unequivocally bring to the global agenda its concerns. Africa remains a continent where a large number of humanitarian activities are undertaken. Its engagement on such issues include the establishment of high level mechanisms which are strengthening normative frameworks and finding new ways for conflict prevention, resolution and peacebuilding, through the peace and security architecture. Therefore, the debate on global and African humanitarian challenges will generate a collective-forwarding looking agenda that will shape the future of humanitarian action.

This initiative is in line with the TfP Programme's strategic goal for improved and sustainable capacity for peace operations on the continent, through ensuring that functional organizational systems are in place in the UN, AU and RECs using relevant policy frameworks mandated by the UN, AU and RECs.

As a training Centre of Excellence and a member of the African Peace Support Trainers' Association (APSTA), the Regional Peacekeeping Training Centre (RPTC) for the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region recently hosted Corrections/Prisons Officers for training on Peace Support Operations. ACCORD/TfP trained the officers on negotiation, mediation and the role of language assistance on 16 June 2015 in Harare, Zimbabwe. This was in consultation with the African Union Peace and Security Division (AU PSOD) and in cooperation with other training centres, to build capacity for Peace Support Operations (PSOs) at the Member State, Regional Economic Community (REC) /Regional Mechanism (RM) and AU continental levels.

The training aimed to enhance participants' understanding on negotiation and mediation and the role of language assistance within the context of a Peace Support Operations (PSOs). The training provided a platform for the SADC Corrections/Prison officers to enhance their understanding on key negotiation, mediation and peace agreement concepts; role of language in a different cultural environment; advanced techniques and approaches on negotiation and mediation. Furthermore, the participants were enabled to understand the use, value and necessity of negotiation and mediation in a peacekeeping environment. The training also provided SADC Corrections/Prison officers with fundamental knowledge, operational skills and attributes required to enable them to effectively perform their functions in the United Nations (UN), AU and SADC mandated peace missions.

A simulation role play exercise was conducted to help the participants understand and be able to apply the knowledge acquired and how to use the tools at their disposal that will assist them to effectively implement their mandate in PSOs and capably respond to situations in the field. The RPTC-SADC will further collaborate with TfP/ACCORD to conduct similar effective and efficient training in the future.

This initiative is in line with the TfP Programme's strategic goal for improved and sustainable capacity development for peace operations on the continent, through ensuring that functional organizational systems including the training centres of excellence in Africa and RECs/RMs, are enabled and capacitated. This engagement is to ensure that personnel have received relevant and high quality training.

The concept of human security, which draws from, the freedom from fear, freedom from want, and freedom to live in dignity, is crucial to peace operations. In this light, TfP/ACCORD attended a Training of Trainers (ToT) on Civil Society and Security Sector Engagement for Human Security conducted by the Eastern Mennonite University's Summer Peacebuilding Institute. The ToT took place in Harrisonburg, Virginia from 8-12 June 2015.

The training aimed to test and refine the draft curriculum and handbook in order to support civil-military-police coordination training for human security and peace operations. As such, inputs from Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) was imperative to ensure the materials reflect a range of topics to be used. These topics range from Security Sector Reform (SSR); Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration (DDR); to Protection of Civilians (PoC); negotiations; conflict assessment; conflict prevention; and peacebuilding etc. The handbook and curriculum were designed to provide knowledge, skills and abilities to enable coordination of multi-stakeholder as a key task in reforming and developing systems for human security. The handbook adds value to existing training and education programmes of the respective stakeholders. The curriculum and handbook will further offer an innovative integrated civil-military-police leadership training program to enable joint learning and relationship building. Furthermore, they will enable security forces and civil society to interact in a way that minimises harm and maximises potential for complementary approaches to improve human security. The target audience for this curriculum was senior and mid-level leaders in international and regional organisations, government, police, military and civil society.

Ten of the ToT participants were from the Global Reference Group for the curriculum development project. Selected experienced practitioners helped provide the training, based on their prior training experience in security forces and civil society. The remaining ToT participants received the training, and committed to provide rigorous feedback and to carry out training in their home community or region. ACCORD as a civil society organisation which specialises in conflict analysis and conflict prevention, contributed to the curriculum and handbook through its TfP programme. Its contributions were specifically toward identifying gaps within the handbook and recommending suggestions to strengthen the handbook. Moreover, TfP/ACCORD will continue to work with other stakeholders to contribute and continue to strengthen other modules within the curriculum and handbook.

This is in line with the TfP Programme's strategic goal for improved and sustainable capacity for peace operations on the continent, through ensuring that functional organisational systems are in place in the UN, AU and RECs using relevant policy frameworks mandated by the UN, AU and RECs.

In commemoration of Africa Day, on Monday 25 May 2015 the African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes (ACCORD) hosted an Internal Staff Seminar (ISS) at its Durban offices. The guest speaker, Ambassador Welile Nhlapo, gave a presentation entitled 'I am an African: Identity in Africa – reflections on a pan-African future'. The talk was preceded by the screening of former South African President Thabo Mbeki's 'I am an African' speech, given on 8 May 1996 in parliament upon the adoption of South Africa's Constitution. Mr Vasu Gounden, Founder and Executive Director of ACCORD, shared the panel with Ambassador Nhlapo as a respondent.

ACCORD staff and guest speaker Ambassador Nhlapo during introductions

The choice of the topic for the ISS was also influenced by a recent spate of attacks against foreigners in KwaZulu-Natal and other parts of South Africa. The theme of the event was based on a realisation that this 52nd anniversary of the founding of the Organisation of African Unity, now the African Union, was occurring during a time when the high hopes that many had for the unity and development of the continent are at risk of being compromised.

In his discussion, Ambassador Nhlapo reflected on South Africa's colourful history leading up to the adoption of the Constitution in 1996. He explained that the speech was made at a time when it was necessary for South Africans to appreciate that all people have a common destiny, in spite of their different backgrounds and history. He added that there was then, and there remains today, an important debate that needs to be had and resolved about who is South African. This is especially so given the country's history.

Ambassador Nhlapo emphasised that it is up to all Africans to find solutions to issues of identity that plague the nation and continent. He gave the example of the United States of America – a strong country that self-identifies as a nation of immigrants and uses that diversity as strength and towards its development. Ambassador Nhlapo emphasised that Africans need to learn from this case and use the diversity of nationalities, cultures and races on the continent to their advantage in nation-building.

This point was reiterated by Mr Gounden, who added that the large number of migrants in South Africa, which is often raised as a challenge, is in fact of immense benefit to the nation, particularly because of the country's ability to attract highly-skilled and educated foreign nationals to its shores over the past 20 years.

Several noteworthy points emerged from a lively discussion following the presentations. The main argument raised was that many contestations around identity and acceptance in Africa can be traced back to the often unacknowledged fact that South Africa is a post-conflict country, which did not go through some crucial nation-building and reflection processes, particularly those aimed at providing spaces for discussion about who is South African, and what it means to be South African and, by extension, African. This consideration is especially important, given that the Apartheid regime's fortress politics isolated South Africans from the rest of Africa for a long time. A key priority for the government now, it was suggested, is to find solutions to the lack of knowledge about the African continent and how South Africa fits into it and benefits from it, as the overriding internal narrative privileges South Africa's dominance and the rest of Africa's dependence on the country.

During the discussion

ACCORD ISSs contribute to the institution's research and knowledge-sharing work which aims to encourage members of staff to engage around African peace and conflict issues and current affairs. ACCORD's peace and security work supports the development and implementation of effective conflict prevention and resolution activities, which necessitates a comprehensive understanding of the continental policy theatre in order to promote sustainable peace and development across the African continent.

After the ISS participants united in their diversity over a 'Taste of Africa' lunch which featured a range of foods and delicacies from across the continent and beyond.

ACCORD in collaboration with the African Peace Support Trainers Association (APSTA), hosted a Mission Support Training Harmonisation Workshop from 4-7 May 2015 in Durban, South Africa. The workshop sought to build on the Civilian Peacekeepers Foundation (Nairobi, Kenya, 2-5 December 2013) and the Police Pre-Deployment (Accra, 6-9 May 2014) Training Harmonisation and Standardisation workshops.

Similar to the Integrated Mission Planning Training Harmonisation, the workshop provided an opportunity for APSTA to continue its contributions towards the efforts of the African Union Commission (AUC). These efforts are to harmonise and standardise the African Standby Force (ASF) and regional standby forces training by the Peace Support Operations Division (PSOD) and the Regional Economic Communities/Mechanisms (RECs/RMs).

The African Standby Force (ASF) training for the respective components has seen improvements over the years. However, specific areas of the ASF architecture, including structures and management capabilities, political decision-making and mission planning processes and logistics, among others, still need enhancing. As Mission Support is a critical enabler for ASF operations, shortcomings in this area have very serious implications for the ASF Full Operational Capability (FOC). The workshop was attended by the Africa Union Commission (AUC); Institute for Security Studies (ISS); Southern African Development Community Regional Peacekeeping Training Centre (SADC RPTC); Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC); Eastern Africa Standby Force (EASF); United Nations Office to the African Union (UNOAU); African Union Mission to Somalia (AMISOM); Southern African Development Community (SADC) planning element (PLANELM); and Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH.

The need for both Mission Planning and Mission Support training was also observed in the ASF Training Needs Assessment conducted by APSTA during 2013. In addition, the ASF Assessment Panel's recommendation for a PSOD-led lessons-learned project aimed at capturing the key Mission Support lessons from AU operations to date. The harmonized and standardized training on the two inter-related aspects of Mission Support (and Mission Planning) will also go a long way to alleviate the weakness in the ASF architecture. From the perspective of the APSTA, the need for the harmonization of ASF training generally stems from best practice, as well as from specific stipulations in relevant AU and other policy framework documents related to the establishment, development and operationalization of the ASF, such as the ASF Assessment Report.

The workshop addressed the gaps identified in the ASF architecture which includes focus on the challenges inhibiting ASF FOC by end of 2015. This involved harmonizing and standardizing multidimensional training delivered by member institutions of the Association or those that intend to establish and deliver Mission Support training for the AU/UN and RECs/RMs missions, (including the ASF and other African-led PSOs). The workshop also created an opportunity for the establishment of relevant and effective Mission Support training relating for AU/UN missions, the ASF and other African-led missions. Furthermore, existing training materials were reviewed and participants were able to revise, update, harmonize and standardise the content of Mission Support training, consistent with the relevant UN policies and doctrine.. The harmonized and standardized packages will seek to establish AU minimum standards for Mission Support training for AU/UN missions, and ASF and other African-led PSOs. This will also include the criteria for identification and selection of potential training audiences, and broad guidelines on the establishment of databases (and rostering) of suitable trainees by the AU and RECs/RMs and show how the knowledge and skills of such trained personnel could be further developed, employed and deployed.

This initiative is in line with the TfP Programme's strategic goal for improved and sustainable capacity for peace operations on the continent, through (1) ensuring that functional organizational systems are in place in the UN, AU and REC/RMs; (2) ensuring competent personnel in the UN, AU and REC/RMs for peace operations with the provision of relevant and high quality training.

The Training for Peace Programme at ACCORD is an initiative funded by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

]]>ian@thinkteam.co.za (Ian Henderson)PeacekeepingFri, 19 Jun 2015 07:29:09 +0200ACCORD/TfP participates in the development of an AU Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration manual and compendiumhttp://accord.org.za/news/2-peacekeeping/1340-accord-tfp-participates-in-the-development-of-an-au-disarmament-demobilization-and-reintegration-manual-and-compendium
http://accord.org.za/news/2-peacekeeping/1340-accord-tfp-participates-in-the-development-of-an-au-disarmament-demobilization-and-reintegration-manual-and-compendium

To build on the successes of the past, knowledge must be captured and transferred. This applies equally to sensitive areas such as disarmament, demobilization and reintegration. In a key step towards the development of an African body of knowledge, the African Union (AU) Peace and Security Department has embarked on the development of a Compendium of Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration (DDR) experiences on the African continent as well as on the development of a DDR training manual. This is part of an AU DDR Capacity Program being implemented in collaboration with the United Nations (UN) and the World Bank - Transitional Demobilization and Reintegration Program (TDRP). Conflicts have economic consequences and challenge the development of peace, security and development.

It is widely acknowledged that DDR is crucial to restoring stability and preventing relapse into conflict. Therefore, a successful DDR program helps create a climate of confidence and security paving the way for a range of peace building and recovery activities.

DDR programmes have shifted from the traditional context of post-civil war peace processes to mitigating the proliferation of risks towards violence that traditional peace processes and mediation efforts have had limited success in resolving. As a response, the AU Commission has undertaken efforts towards the structural prevention of conflicts, through the development of tools to assist Member States' vulnerability to conflict and assist them elaborate appropriate mitigation strategies. A workshop to advance such efforts through the development of a related compendium and training manual was held from 12-13 May 2015 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

The Compendium aims to provide a repository for DDR experiences and provides researchers and policy makers with material to provide comparative analysis of the different DDR experiences. Concurrently, the training manual that will be developed will contribute towards standardizing DDR training within the AU security infrastructure and harmonizing DDR practices by disseminating and training DDR practitioners on the best practices and the most recent innovations in DDR tools.

The Compendium produced thus far presents the desk review study conducted to date and delegates were able to propose the appropriate methodologies for further development of the Compendium. This was imperative for the process of development and validation for the Compendium as it guided the approach of case studies that were to be utilised. Experiences were shared and information was gathered from the various DDR training entities and other training institutions offering training in order to identify the strengths, challenges, gaps and deficiencies' of the current training offered.

The AU DDR Compendium creates a platform to develop a repository for these experiences and provide researchers and policy makers with material to make comparative analysis of the different DDR experiences. This document will assist in providing lessons learned, allowing countries to capitalize on what has worked in similar settings. It will also provide an overview analysis of the development of DDR programs and processes on the African continent, highlighting key achievements and common challenges faced by national governments and regional organisations during implementation efforts. By extension, in-order to adapt training material to the constant flux and evolving nature of DDR operations, it is important to take into consideration contemporary DDR and bridge the growing rift between expectations and reality.

Given the role and engagement of ACCORD/TfP in building capacity in Africa and a partner to the African Peace Support Trainers Association (APSTA), the ACCORD/TfP was able to share its training experiences in Africa and outside the continent at the 13-15 May event, and gave guidance on the development of the training manual. This was achieved by focusing on the importance of standardizing training materials in provision of peace support operations.

This initiative is in line with the TfP Programme's strategic goal for improved and sustainable capacity for peace operations on the continent, through ensuring that functional organizational systems are in place in the UN, AU and REC/RMs.

The Training for Peace Programme at ACCORD is an initiative funded by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The Common Market for East and Central Africa (COMESA) and the African Center for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes (ACCORD) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to deepen collaboration in the area of peace and security. The MoU, was signed on the margins of the 25th Ordinary Session of the African Union in Johannesburg, South Africa by Mr. Sindiso Ngwenya, Secretary General of COMESA and Mr. Vasu Gounden, Founder and Executive Director of ACCORD. The signing of the MoU has come at a time that COMESA Programme on Peace and Security commences implementation of its 2015-2018 Strategic Plan. It has also come at a time that both organisations strive to support the target that was set by the 21st Ordinary Assembly of the Heads of State and Government of the African Union to silence the guns on the continent by 2020, as captured in Vision 2020.

Both organisations bring on board competences, which when combined will make their contributions to silencing the guns more effective.

COMESA has had an active programme on Peace and Security since 2001 and it has, over the years developed tools and mechanisms to supporting the transformation of the COMESA into a peaceful, prosperous and secure region. These include a functioning early warning system that is focused on addressing structural factors of conflict and a Committee of Elders for peace making through preventive diplomacy. COMESA through its programme to address post conflict reconstruction and development has established several trade information desks at border areas of the Great Lakes Region to enhance the use of trade and investment as mechanism for peacebuilding. On security, COMESA is implementing a programme to address maritime insecurity by targeting the financial aspects such as money laundering to fight piracy. It has also a programme on democracy and governance that has, among other things seen COMESA observe over twenty-five elections in the region.

ACCORD on its part is a civil society organization that has been operating in Africa since 1992 and has established offices in Burundi, Juba with its headquarters in Durban, South Africa. Specifically, ACCORD encourages and promotes constructive resolution of disputes by the people of Africa and to achieve political stability, economic recovery and peaceful co-existence. This is done by among other things, facilitating conflict management and promoting mediation as well as dialogue towards peaceful resolution of conflict. ACCORD has been on the forefront of strengthening peace and security institutions on the continent for the past 23 years and intends to share its knowledge and experience with COMESA. Prior to signing the MoU, ACCORD had already implemented several initiatives in support to COMESA; for instance, training on mediation targeted at COMESA Electoral Management Bodies Forum (EMBs) as well as technical support initiatives for the COMESA Committee of Elders.

ACCORD has also had a long and structured partnership with the African Union particularly supporting programmes of the Panel of the Wise as well as training providing mediation expertise and operational support to AU. It is thus intended that a similar partnership with COMESA will synergise the cooperation and partnership under the ambits of the African Peace and Security Architecture.

Going forward, COMESA and ACCORD intend to operationalize the MoU in order to strengthen the partnership and further entrench mediation and dialogue within COMESA's peace and security agenda.

ACCORD has participated in the 26th Gender in my Agenda Campaign (GIMAC) Pre-Summit Consultative Meeting on Gender Mainstreaming in the African Union (AU) and Member States to support the empowerment of women in all spheres of society.

The consultative meeting was aimed at proposing solutions to address the problems of women and girls in Africa, and to compile best practices to put forward to heads of state and practitioners on how to implement the recommendations of the previous GIMAC summit, and gather solutions for the implementation of the non-negotiable protocols on gender. The consultative meeting also generated best practices in ending sexual and gender based violence against women and girls, and the provision of quality and accessible health services.

The 26th GIMAC Pre-Summit Consultative Meeting was held in Sandton, Johannesburg from 8-9 June 2015. It was organized by key GIMAC members including: Femmes Africa Solidarite' (FAS), Africa Leadership Forum (ALF), Institute for Social Transformation, ACCORD, Forum for African Women Educationalists (FAWE), Ipas Africa Alliance, Women in Law and Development in Africa (WiLDAF), Egyptian Business Women Association (EBWA), Isis-Women's International Cross-Cultural Exchange (Isis-WICCE), Abantu for Development, West African Women Association (WAWA), and Foundation for Community Development (FDC). The workshop brought together over 50 participants. In attendance were Madame Bineta Diop - the AU Chairperson's Special Envoy on Women, Peace and Security, Mr Said Djinnit - the United Nations Special Envoy for the Great Lakes Region, HE Mrs Fatima Acyl Commissioner for Trade and Industry representing Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma - Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Ms Susan Shabangu – Minister for Womens Affairs Republic of South Africa, and Mrs Assetou Koite – President Panafrican Womens Organization. ACCORD was represented by Mr Vasu Gounden – Executive Director at ACCORD, Ms Pravina Makan-Lakha – Manager, ACCORDs Business Development Unit, and Ms Olivia Victoria Davies – Peacekeeping Unit Programme Officer.

The discussions in the conference were centered on six thematic areas: these include health, education, agriculture, peace and security, economic empowerment, and financial development for women. Significant best practices and recommendations from these thematic areas emerged from the deliberations particularly in the area of health and education, as well as methods for financing core deliverables. In the area of health, the key recommendations that stood out are the need to equip health centers in rural areas with ambulances, nurses, doctors, and electricity; as well as the need for quality services in addition to infrastructure, to eliminate teenage pregnancies and child marriage. States were encouraged to ensure the reform of laws that address the issues faced by women and girls. On education, the key recommendations that stood out include the need for prioritization of education as development; the need for financing education, and the need for leadership commitment and global partnerships. Emphasis was placed on the establishment of a Bank for women in order to implement these recommendations as there is nothing micro about women.

The 25th African Union Summit is being held in Johannesburg, South Africa, from 7 to 15 June 2015, with the Heads of State meeting over 14 and 15 June. The Summit Theme is: "Year of Women Empowerment and Development towards Africa's Agenda 2063".

Summit Agenda: The AU Heads of State and Government will consider reports on: the Ebola Crisis; the First Ten-Year implementation plan of the Agenda 2063; Alternative Sources of Financing the AU; the state of peace and security in Africa; Maternal, New Born and Child Health; climate change; UN reforms; African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM); AIDS; and will also appoint members of the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child and members of the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights.

ACCORD Expertise

The African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes (ACCORD) has over 20 years of experience in key areas the Summit will consider, and in addition has a wide network of experts who can talk to the various topics on the Summit agenda.

ACCORD Publications

In addition to ACCORD'S extensive work across Africa on capacity building and policy development, ACCORD has recently published the following titles:

The African Centre for Constructive Resolution of Disputes (ACCORD) hosted a training on Conflict Sensitive Approaches to Development in Juba, South Sudan from 29-31 May 2015 for National Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) – one of the key stakeholders in peacebuilding in the country. The main objective of the training was to build the CSOs' understanding of the interaction between their initiatives and the convalescent nature of the South Sudanese grassroots peacebuilding context.

This would enable them to adopt measures that would serve to both minimize the negative effects as well as maximize the positive effects of their interventions.

Organised at Juba Regency Hotel, the training brought together 25 national CSO representatives engaged in humanitarian, development and peacebuilding work from across the country. The training not only provided the CSOs with an opportunity to gain knowledge and practical skills on how to apply conflict sensitivity in different stages of the project cycle, but also on how to apply a conflict sensitive approach at an organizational level. Specifically, the training was to bolster the knowledge among CSOs in analysis of grassroots contexts in South Sudan, to equip the identified CSOs with skills in conflict-sensitive programming, and to contribute to rapprochement among identified CSO representatives so as to create alliances for positive social change. The training was also an opportunity for the CSOs to network, and to share best practices on conflict sensitivity. The training provided a critical platform for ACCORD to cement its partnership with key peacebuilding actors who implement conflict-sensitive programmes in South Sudan.

The participants shared that the training was very beneficial to them in deepening their understanding of the implementation of conflict analysis tools as well as the value of integrating conflict sensitivity into the different stages of the project cycle and institutional policies and practices. It is hoped that the participants use the knowledge and resources gained at the training to hold their own respective workshops/trainings on conflict sensitivity at their organizations, thereby enhancing capacity at their respective organizations.

The training was held under the auspices of ACCORD's Peacebuilding Coordination Programme (APCP). The Programme is funded by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland. The overall objective of APCP is to contribute to greater coherence and coordination amongst peacebuilding actors in Africa towards enhanced stability and security across the continent, with South Sudan being one of APCP's focus countries. ACCORD will continue to enhance the capacity building of key peacebuilding stakeholders in South Sudan as part of the APCP.

For more information contact Mr John Ahere, Coordinator in the Peacebuilding Unit at johna@accord.org.za.

The political dialogue in CAR, currently coordinated by the Transitional CAR Government, the International Contact Group (ICG-CAR) and the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), was composed of a series of international meetings in order to support the dialogue and reconciliation process.

These interactions allowed the international community to craft a crisis management strategy that was defined into three stages: (i) the Brazzaville Forum for political dialogue; (ii) nation-wide consultations; and (iii) the CAR National Dialogue and Reconciliation Forum (Bangui Forum). In this context, and following the achievement of the first two stages, the Transitional Government and the international community hosted The Bangui Forum from 4th – 11th May 2015. Nation-wide Consultations that were held in order to capture the thoughts and contributions of the population addressed four key areas as major pillars to be dealt with during the Bangui Forum, namely: 1) Peace and Security, 2) Justice and Reconciliation, 3) Good Governance and 4) Socio-economic development. Consequently, the Forum was divided into four commissions to debate on the above mentioned thematic.

ACCORD partnered with ECCAS in supporting this event and took part in the proceedings of three key areas: Justice and Reconciliation, Good Governance, and Peace and Security. The Justice and Reconciliation commission that dealt with healing and transitional justice arrangements. The Good Governance commission debated on the feasibility of the upcoming election and the eligibility criteria for the future government of CAR. While the Peace and Security commission resulted in the signing of an agreement on principles of disarmament and demobilisation.

ACCORD has accompanied the reconciliation process in CAR through its mediation support provided to ECCAS as well as the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with the CAR Ministry of Reconciliation. As such, ACCORD has been active in providing process design expertise, conflict analysis and training.

The Bangui Forum is a crucial stage for the reconciliation process before the elections and constitutes the basis for consensus on key political and security issues that have been dividing the CAR society. As such, it is a crucial milestone that will set the framework for future dialogue and reconciliation initiatives in the country. ACCORD will continue its current support to both ECCAS and the CAR Transitional Government towards a durable and stable reconciliation and with the aim of strengthening the capacities for dialogue and mediation in Central African region.

As current Civilian Chair of the International Association of Peacekeeping Training Centres (IAPTC) Executive Committee, the Training for Peace in Africa Programme at ACCORD (TfP/ACCORD) has participated in the 2015 IAPTC Executive Committee Meeting that brought together a small group of peacekeeping training practitioners and experts who are tasked with planning the 2015 IAPTC Annual conference.

The Executive Committee meeting was organised and hosted by the Brazilian Peace Operations Joint Training Centre (CCOPAB) from 18–21 May 2015 in Brasilia, Brazil. The members of the committee who attended the meeting include representatives from the following institutions: the host- CCOPAB; the United Nations Department of Peacekeeping Operations (UNDPKO)- Intergrated Training Services; Crisis Management Centre, Finland – Pedagogical Chair; Centre for United Nations Peacekeeping, India (CUNPK) – IAPTC Secretariat; Folke Bernadotte Academy; Indonesia National Defence Force Peacekeeping Centre – IAPTC Presidency; ACCORD – Civilian Chair; CANADA – Police Chair; and Nigeria – Military Chair and Bangladesh Institute of Peace Support Operation Training (BIPSOT). The meeting was also supported by the IAPTC honorary member from Canada, David Lightburn who has been part of IAPTC since its inception in 1995. Ms Irene Limo, Senior Programme Officer, Peacekeeping Unit at ACCORD attended the meeting in her capacity of the Civilian Chair.

The core task for the meeting was to discuss the preparation and planning of the 21st Annual Conference of the IAPTC which will be hosted by CCOPAB from 28 September–2 October 2015 in Brasilia, Brazil. The executive meeting, after detailed discussions developed the agenda for the 21st Annual Conference. The theme for the 2015 IAPTC Annual Conference is "Enhancing the Effectiveness of Training through Partnerships, Integration and Evaluation". This theme seeks to strengthen peacekeeping training through synergies and effective evaluation for impact in the current security dynamics.

As the 2015 Civilian Chair of the Executive Committee and the African representative in the Committee, the participation of the TfP/ACCORD enriched the discussions bringing to fore the civilian and African issues in peacekeeping training. This promotion of issues regarding Africa's peace operations contributes to further broadening of the understanding of the civilian (and multidimensional) aspects of peace operations.

The Training for Peace in Africa Programme at ACCORD is an initiative funded by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

For more information on ACCORD's work relating to the TfP Programme, please contact Ms. Irene Limo, Senior Programme Officer, Peacekeeping Unit on Irene@accord.org.za.

ACCORD continues to work with the African Union in its focus on developing the civilian dimension of current African peace support operations. Through its Training for Peace Programme (TfP/ACCORD), ACCORD supported the recent AU African Standby Force (ASF) Civilian Dimension Workshop in Lusaka, which aimed at taking stock and reflecting on the work and progress of the civilian dimension process since the endorsement by the 3rd Meeting of the Specialised Technical Committee on Defence Safety and Security (STCDSS).

This work and progress also follows on from the recommendations of the Civilian Staffing, Training and Rostering Meeting held in 2008 in Kampala, Uganda and as well as from the recommendations of other subsequent meetings on the ASF civilian dimension. The aim of the workshop was to provide a progress analysis on the AU civilian dimension process while reflecting on current African peace support operations (PSOs) landscape and experience, and highlighting key roles and contributions of civilians in PSOs. The workshop also provided recommendations for the review of the civilian dimension within a multidimensional and integrated context as the process moves towards the full operationalisation of the ASF in 2015 and beyond.

The workshop on the Civilian Dimension of the ASF was held in Lusaka, Zambia from 6th - 7th May 2015, and was organized by the AU Commission in cooperation with Regional Economic Communities and Regional Mechanisms (RECs/RMs). It was hosted by the Republic of Zambia. In attendance were representatives of the AU, RECs/RMs, Kofi Anan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC), Die Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), the Norwegian Institute for International Affairs (NUPI), Ecole de Maintien de la Paix (EMP), and the Institute for Security Studies (ISS). TfP/ ACCORD was represented by Ms. Olivia Victoria Davies, Programme Officer, Peacekeeping Unit.

The Workshop agreed on key recommendations, which are based on key civilian dimension processes such as partnerships; training and capacity building; rostering and staffing; planning and operations; policy development and facilitation; enhancing the roles of civilians in high-intensity operations; and women in PSOs. In terms of partnerships, the recommendations call on AU member states to ensure policy coherence and coordination with the RECs/RMs that serve as building blocks of the Africa Peace and Security Architecture (APSA) to ensure a harmonised approach on the operationalisation and employment of the ASF. Specifically, there was emphasis that there should be enhanced coordination between relevant decision making organs and Planning Elements (PLANELMs) of the AU and RECs/RMs. Member States were also encouraged to ensure principled and predictable partnership with the United Nations (UN) in line with the mandates of both organisations during operations. In this regard, it was recommended that there should be coherence at the strategic level, coordination at the operational level and joint programming at the tactical level in PSOs.

The recommendations on training and capacity building, encouraged member states to enhance their peacekeeping training centres to adhere to AU Training directives, frameworks, policies, standards and curricula for multidimensional training and capacity building of personnel for African-led PSOs including issues relating to conflict prevention, and post-conflict reconstruction and development. In this regard, it was concluded that the AU Commission and RECs/RMs should develop guidelines on the linkage between rostering and training of civilians to ensure that experts eligible for deployment are will be those personnel that are well trained that should be adequately prepared prior to deployment.

On the recommendations on staffing and rostering, member states were encouraged to support RECs/RMs in populating the African Standby Capacity (ASC) roster, by playing a primary role in generating personnel that meet the set minimum selection criteria for inclusion in the ASC roster. In this regard, special attention would be given to women and other under-represented groups in the selection process, as outlined in the ASC Selection Guidelines Manual (SGM).

A lot of emphasis was also placed on exploring the roles of civilians in high-intensity operations in which the AU is going to establish a Civilian Strategic Support Group (CSSG) to provide technical advisory support on civilian-related issues in AU PSOs. The AU will also ensure that civilian deployment in high-intensity operations are informed by a robust assessment to determine and put in place measures to mitigate against security risks and provide adequate support requirements to AU civilian personnel, prior to their deployment. In recognizing the Women Peace and Security Agenda, the AU Commission and RECS/RMs were encouraged to establish mechanisms to prevent and respond to misconduct, especially Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA), in PSOs. In addition, AU, RECs/RMs and member states were encouraged to continue their efforts in enhancing personnel's understanding of International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and AU PSO Code of Conduct prior to deployment.

The recommendations which emanated from the workshop will contribute towards the improvement of the civilian dimension of the ASF ahead of its full operational capacity in December 2015.

This initiative is linked to TfP/ACCORD strategic goal which is to significantly improve civilian capacity of United Nations (UN), the AU, RECs/RMs, and the African States, to plan, manage and monitor multidimensional peacekeeping in Africa.

The Training for Peace Programme at ACCORD is an initiative funded by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

In collaboration with the Advisory Group of Experts on the Review of the United Nations (UN) Peacebuilding Architecture, the African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes (ACCORD) organised two-day regional Consultations in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia from 11 – 12 May 2015. The Consultations served as a way to receive inputs from key regional players on what is needed for successful peacebuilding in the Horn & East Africa and beyond in terms of regional dynamics of conflict and current challenges.

The Consultations brought together different key peacebuilding actors in the Horn & East Africa region to analyse the impact of the Peacebuilding Architecture over the past ten years. The participants were drawn from among others, the Advisory Group of Experts on the Review of the UN Peacebuilding Architecture, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, the African Union Commission (AUC), regional UN offices, Regional Economic Communities (RECs), International Financial Institutions, Addis Ababa-based embassies as well as civil society organisations. The opening remarks were delivered by Dr Khabele Matlosa, the Director of the Department of Political Affairs at the AUC. Mr. El-Ghassim Wane, the Director of the Peace and Security Department provided the closing remarks.

The participants reflected on the UN's contribution to Peacebuilding Architecture in Africa, the role of regional actors and organisations in East Africa, the challenges and progress of peacebuilding in the region. They also discussed the UN and regional organisations engagement in East Africa within existing peacebuilding frameworks, and regional dimensions of peacebuilding on the African continent.

The participants took note of the evolving dynamics of peacebuilding since the 2010 review and delved deep into the future of peacebuilding in the region, while analysing the role of women in peacebuilding initiatives. Noteworthy was the debate on the relationship between the UN and regional organizations in securing peace and stability, as well as examination of different peacebuilding efforts aimed at addressing the root causes of conflicts so as to avoid relapses. The consultations also discussed the role of international financial institutions in supporting peacebuilding, and the efforts of the RECs in support of peace and stability in Africa. At the end of the Consultations, vital recommendations were presented, for consideration by the Advisory Group of Experts as it works towards finalising its report that will be present to the UN General Assembly. Among other things, participants proposed that annual meetings are held between the UN Peacebuilding Commission, the private sector and civil society organisations to develop strategies that will give meaning to the Architecture. They further recommended that the UN should empower the AU in dealing with Peacebuilding challenges, and assist in mobilisation of more donors to finance Peacebuilding programmes.

The UN Peacebuilding Architecture Review process will run until June 2015 and the recommendations presented to the UN General Assembly in September 2015. ACCORD will continue to provide support to this review process in partnership with the Advisory Group of Experts and like-minded entities.

ACCORD's work in the area of peacebuilding is led by the Peacebuilding Unit, particularly through its engagements focusing on Liberia and South Sudan. For more information contact Ms Lesley Connolly, Senior Programme Officer in the Peacebuilding Unit at Lesley@accord.org.za.

On 04 May 2015, ACCORD and the African Union (AU) convened a high-level seminar, Strengthening Mediation in Africa, at the AU Headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Bringing together over 50 participants from a diverse collection of national governments, multilateral institutions, and civil society organisations, the one-day seminar strived to illuminate and consolidate critical reflections on the current state of mediation practice throughout the continent.

Group Photo of Participants at the 'Strengthening Mediation in Africa' Seminar, 04 May 2015

The seminar, which was sponsored by the Government of Finland, further allowed for key stakeholders to critically engage on some of the most pressing challenges confronting international mediation, as well as to offer constructive and actionable recommendations for the AU and its partners to strengthen these interventions.

The seminar focused on a number of critical substantive topics, including: an overview of the field of international mediation against the backdrop of evolving conflict dynamics; assessments on the concepts and practice of subsidiarity, coordination, and cooperation during mediation interventions; reflections on best practices and challenges from recent case studies of African mediation efforts; and efforts to improve how the AU, UN, RECs, international partners, and non-state actors undertake and collaborate on international mediation in Africa. Participants of the seminar included representatives from the AU Commission, Ambassadors from the countries on the AU Peace and Security Council, members of the AU Panel of the Wise, AU Special Envoys and Special Representatives of the Chairperson of the Commission, the UN Department of Political Affairs, Office of the Special Advisor on Africa, and the UN Development Programme, representatives of countries from the 'Friends of Mediation' grouping and the UN Security Council, members of the continent's RECs, as well as leading African and international civil society organisations.

Mr Vasu Gounden, ACCORD's Founder and Executive Director, delivered a presentation entitled 'The Evolution of Conflict Management in Response to a Changing Conflict Environment'. In his presentation, Mr Gounden traced the evolution of the field since 1990, specifically examining the growth and development of African institutions undertaking mediation. Mr Gounden then juxtaposed these developments against an analysis of global and continental socio-economic and political dynamics. Through his identification of critical demographic, economic, governance, and security trends and their impacts on today's conflict environments, Mr Gounden concluded by arguing that mediation and dialogue are even more important now than before if the continent wishes to mitigate conflicts while simultaneously undertaking structural transformations to promote sustainable and inclusive economic development.

Mr Vasu Gounden, ACCORD's Founder and Executive Director, seated alongside representatives from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) during the opening session of the 'Strengthening Mediation in Africa' Seminar, 04 May 2015, Addis Ababa.

The conclusions emerging from the conference proceedings will be delivered to the AU Commission, who will then incorporate the recommendations into the institution's official submissions to the UN General Assembly debates on various resolutions concerning international mediation at the 2015 UN Summit.

Written by Daniel Forti, Researcher in the Executive Director's office. For more information contact Mr Hayden Allen, General Manager, Corporate Affairs at hayden@accord.org.za.

On Thursday 7 May 2015, the SADC Mediation Reference Group (MRG) held their constitutive meeting at Phakalane Golf Estate Hotel Resort, in Gaborone, Botswana. This was the first statutory meeting of the MRG since its members were appointed during the Summit held in Victoria Falls, Republic of Zimbabwe in August 2014.

Members of the MRG, together with SADC Secretariat staff at the meeting

The MRG is part of the SADC Mediation, Conflict Prevention and Preventive Diplomacy Structure, which also comprises the Panel of Elders (PoE) and the Mediation Support Unit.

Out of the nine MRG members, seven members were in attendance, namely:

Ambassador O Tebape - Botswana;

Ambassador M Leteka – Lesotho;

Mr V Gounden - South Africa;

Honourable A Midzi – Zimbabwe;

Mr G Lassemillante – Mauritius;

Dr L Simão – Mozambique;

Ms O Liwewe – Malawi.

At the meeting, Dr Leonardo Simão was appointed the Chairperson of the MRG, whilst Ms Olivia Mchaju Liwewe was appointed the Deputy Chairperson. In addition to the appointment of office-bearers, the meeting also considered and approved the MRG's Strategic Plan and Work Plan covering the period 2015 to 2017.

ES handing MRG Deputy Chairperson, Ms Olivia Mchaju Liwewe

The MRG also had an opportunity to interact with the Executive Secretary, who hosted a dinner in their honour. At the dinner, the Executive Secretary expressed appreciation to the MRG members for availing their time and resources to serve the Region and further affirmed the SADC Secretariat's readiness to support and assist the MRG in fulfilling their mandate and contributing to regional political stability and peaceful resolution of conflicts. Finally, the ES also used the occasion to hand each MRG member, their letter of appointment to the MRG for a tenure of 4 years.

US foreign policy is of great interest to African states, with the US military involved on the continent and US presidential elections on the horizon in 2016. Globally, the current administration of President Barack Obama has utilised both dialogue and unilateral military action as approaches to foreign policy. During an Internal Staff Seminar (ISS) on Thursday 24 April 2015, Daniel Forti, a researcher in the Executive Director's Office at ACCORD, gave a presentation on United States (US) foreign policy under President Barack Obama's Administration.

Forti's appraisal interrogated trends in the American government's strategic relations with Middle Eastern countries, China and Cuba, as well as its various interventions on the African continent. The presentation was followed by a moderated discussion on the implications of the upcoming 2016 US election on the trajectory of foreign policy.

ACCORD Researcher Daniel Forti describes the structures of the American government that determine its foreign policy in an Internal Staff Seminar on 24 April 2015

Guided by his own personal research interests and background growing up in the US, Forti identified three foundational pillars of foreign policy: defending the homeland from its adversaries, building global security with a focus on regional stability, and projecting American influence by destroying terrorist networks and distributing humanitarian aid.

Forti characterised the Obama Administration's foreign policy by its efforts to cooperate with international institutions like the United Nations and to promote dialogue between belligerent parties; a trait that distinguishes it from the previous administration. For example, the US' recent nuclear consultation with Iran represents a divergence from traditional US-Iran relations. By favouring a negotiated settlement over the indefinite imposition of sanctions, Forti argued that President Obama has demonstrated his commitment to dialogue even with enemy states. The pending deal with Iran marks the first significant mutual agreement reached by the two since the deterioration of relations between the countries in 1979.

Despite Obama's diplomatic engagement in the global political arena, his administration has consistently relied on the use of unilateral military action as a core strategy in the implementation of foreign policy, Forti argued. In Africa specifically, where the US staged 674 military missions in the year 2015 alone (averaging nearly two per day), the American footprint is developing increasingly into a militarised one. This trend is bolstered by the increase in America's preference for drone strikes, which boast minimal risk for American soldiers without compromising efficiency, according to the Obama Administration. The Obama Administration has embraced utilising its drone arsenal, especially in its 'war on terror' in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Just one day after taking his oath of office in 2009, President Obama issued his first drone strike in Afghanistan.

Forti concluded his presentation with speculations on the future of American foreign policy. With the upcoming election in November 2016, he identified three areas of foreign policy that could make an impact: the Iranian nuclear development, the Israel-Palestine peace process, and the revitalisation of Cuban relations. The current frontrunner and sole Democratic Party candidate on the ballot thus far, Hilary Clinton's foreign policy outlook is expected to remain consistent with her policies during her tenure as Secretary of State. Forti argued that Clinton is a proponent of reinforcing humanitarian aid distribution as well as building diplomatic relations based on dialogue. However, Forti argued that foreign policy decisions rarely influence the outcomes of American presidential elections. Unless a significant security threat exists or the country has troops on the ground in a foreign war, elections are decided by economic and civil concerns. As the country currently faces many domestic issues, foreign policy is not expected to represent a major focus in the 2016 election.

The subsequent discussion, facilitated by Natacha Kunama, the coordinator of ACCORD's Peacemaking Unit, focused on American exceptionalism and its various manifestations on the global scale. President Obama is quoted as saying: 'our national security interests must begin with an undeniable truth – America must lead ... the question is never whether America should lead, but how we lead.' This sentiment is shared by both Republican and Democratic Party leaderships which raises many questions in the conversation about the future of US-Africa relations.

The Knowledge Production Department at ACCORD holds regular ISSs to discuss pertinent global issues and their impacts on the African continent. These sessions aim to provide a platform for staff members and guests to share their expertise, opinions, or research and engage ACCORD staff in active discussions. The goal of an ISS is to share knowledge and alternative viewpoints in order to broaden individuals' understanding of global peace, security and development topics.

Peacebuilding is a dynamic field, and the UN recognised that through the appointment of an Advisory Group of Experts (UN AGE) on UN Peacebuilding Architecture (PBA) in early 2015. To provide input from South Sudanese Civil Society Organisations (CSO's) to the AGE on the UN PBA, ACCORD arranged consultations for national civil society actors in South Sudan from 30th April to 1st May 2015. , The input will go directly into UN policy discussions, as the AGE were nominated by the UN Secretary-General to perform a policy and institutional review of the peace building architecture and subsequently propose recommendations.

Organised at Juba Regency Hotel in Juba, South Sudan, the consultation brought together 18 CSO representatives in South Sudan. The South Sudan Peace and Reconciliation Commission was also represented by Ms. Betty Abauo. Three members of the AGE were represented: Ms. Edith Grace Ssempala (Former Director, International Affairs, Office of the World Bank's Vice-President for External Affairs, former Ambassador and Permanent Representative for the African Union), Mr. Anis Bajwa (Former Director of the Division on Policy Evaluation and Training, Department of Peacekeeping Operations, and former Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General in Timor- Leste) and Mr. Funmi Olonisakin (Director, Security Leadership and Society Programme, King's College London, and former member of the Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict).

The discussion was an opportunity for the CSO representatives to gather together and deliberate on the opportunities and challenges in peacebuilding, and the UN PBA in South Sudan. The climax of the two-day forum was a two-hour roundtable event, where the CSOs provided AGE with first-hand information on the peacebuilding context, the lessons learned and experiences of the UN PBA in South Sudan. The information can be utilized by UN AGE to compile its report to the UN General Assembly and the Security Council.

The civil society recommendations included but were not limited to the need for the UN PBA to provide/facilitate greater funding and capacity building for national CSOs, and information and experience sharing forums that could facilitate greater coordination and coherence of peacebuilding efforts between different stakeholders in South Sudan. The CSOs also recommended the UNPBA to focus more on long-term project implementation with an emphasis on community ownership and sustainability, consideration of local contexts, and adequate monitoring, evaluation and exit strategies. The CSOs emphasized that the UN PBA should place greater emphasis on women empowerment in South Sudan, with directly supporting and investing heavily on local women associations, and grassroots initiatives on a long-term basis.

The ACCORD will continue to assist with the UN PBA review by facilitating the regional UN PBA review on East Africa to be held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia 11-12 May, 2015.

ACCORD's work in the area of peacebuilding is led by the Peacebuilding Unit, particularly through its engagements focusing on Liberia and South Sudan. For more information contact Mr John Ahere, Coordinator in the Peacebuilding Unit at johna@accord.org.za.

]]>ian@thinkteam.co.za (Ian Henderson)PeacebuildingFri, 08 May 2015 17:58:13 +0200Gender Perspective Training by ACCORD for Peace Support Operations on the Continenthttp://accord.org.za/news/2-peacekeeping/1323-gender-perspective-training-by-accord-for-peace-support-operations-on-the-continent
http://accord.org.za/news/2-peacekeeping/1323-gender-perspective-training-by-accord-for-peace-support-operations-on-the-continent

"Gender sensitive peacekeeping leads to more effective peacekeeping", according to Col. Fernando Izquierdo, who directed a recent course on Gender Perspective in Peace Support Operations, supported by ACCORD's Training for Peace (TfP) programme.

ACCORD staff travelled to Nairobi, Kenya to support the 'Gender Perspective in Peace Support Operations: A Comprehensive Approach' course, operational since June 2011. The 2015 course marked the fourth time the training had been held in Africa, hosted by the International Peace Support Centre (IPSTC), Nairobi Kenya. The course also takes place in Madrid, Spain and in The Hague, Netherlands. The Nairobi, Kenya course is jointly implemented by IPSTC in collaboration with the Spanish and Dutch Ministries of Defense and Foreign Affairs under the Spanish-Dutch Training Initiative on Gender in Operations. The Training for Peace Programme at ACCORD (TfP/ACCORD) supported the course through facilitation of the scenario based sessions in the one week training that was held in Nairobi Kenya from 13-17 April 2015. This support contributed to the adequate preparation of the civilians, police and military officers from the East African Region as well as from other regions of Africa who are expected to be part of the capabilities of the Africa Standby Force (ASF) ahead of the Full Operation Capability in 2015. TfP/ACCORD's strategic goal aims to strengthen the African Union's capacity and capability to plan, manage and implement peace support operations on the continent through support to the development of the ASF – Africa's future peace operations standby capacity.

The target audience for this gender course was primarily middle management military officials and civilians, including police, from African members of the United States Global Peace Operations Initiative. It also targeted participants who are deployed or are to be deployed in African Union (AU), United Nations (UN) or other peace operations in the African continent. The course aimed at increasing operational effectiveness by equipping participants with the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively support the gender perspective in peace operations. This innovative international course responds to and is based on the comprehensive approach to peace support operations, and builds on synergies between defense, diplomacy and development (3D) with regards to gender and human rights aspects.

This year marks the 15th anniversary of UN Security Council resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security, a resolution whose initial discussions were speared by Namibia. In October 2015, the Security Council will convene a High-level Review to assess progress at the global, regional and national levels in implementing the resolution. In preparation for the 2015 High-level Review, the Secretary-General has commissioned a global study on the implementation of resolution 1325. The study will highlight examples of good practice, implementation gaps and challenges, and priorities for action. A 17-member High-Level Advisory Group was constituted with Radhika Coomaraswamy as lead author of the Global Study. MajGen (ret.) Patrick Cammaert a member of this Advisory group was part of the training team of the just concluded Gender in peace support operations course. MajGen (ret.) Cammaert facilitated the Conflict related sexual violence and protection of civilians session where he shared his wealth of experience on the same.

Due to the complex nature of current peace operations, there is an increasing awareness for the military, police and civilian personnel to be equipped with practical means to interact with local women and men as well as how to interact with other gender parameters in the environment they operate in. The training thus sought to explain the basic gender concepts and further gave a platform for the participants on deeper understanding of the concept and aims of the Comprehensive Approach on gender in peace operations. The sessions also described how the gender perspective and the comprehensive approach complement each other. The training also took the participants through the main international legal frameworks related to gender as well as the technical and political aspects of gender in peace building processes, such as Security Sector Reform (SSR) and Demobilization, Disarmament and Reintegration (DDR).

TfP/ACCORD in collaboration with the African Regional Training Centres of Excellence (COEs) and national peacekeeping training centres seeks to increase the understanding of the civilian and multi-dimensional aspects of peace operations through trainings. Further, this collaboration which TfP/ACCORD is keen to strengthen fosters awareness raising and generates necessary support for strengthening gender mainstreaming in peace operations among the AU Member States and Regional Economic Communities (RECs)/ Regional Mechanisms (RMs) representatives.

This initiative is in line with the TfP Programme's strategic goal for improved and sustainable capacity for peace operations on the continent, through support on functional organizational systems including the African Regional Training Centres of Excellence in Africa as well as the RECs/RMs. This engagement is also linked to the programme's thematic focus on strengthening recruitment and training of female peace keeping personnel (and trainers) for peace operations, in line with the UNSCR 1325 and its emphasis on female participation in the prevention and resolution of conflict.

The Training for Peace Programme at ACCORD is an initiative funded by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

For more information on ACCORD's work through the TfP programme, please contact Ms. Irene Limo, Senior Programme Officer, Peacekeeping Unit at irene@accord.org.za

]]>ian@thinkteam.co.za (Ian Henderson)PeacekeepingTue, 05 May 2015 08:49:14 +0200Establishment of Special Reference Group on Migration and Community Integration in KwaZulu-Natalhttp://accord.org.za/news/90-general/1322-establishment-of-special-reference-group-on-migration-and-community-integration-in-kwazulu-natal
http://accord.org.za/news/90-general/1322-establishment-of-special-reference-group-on-migration-and-community-integration-in-kwazulu-natal

In response to the events of the past few weeks the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial government has urgently established an independent Special Reference Group on Migration and Community Integration in KwaZulu-Natal. The focus of the Reference Group is to investigate the immediate and underlying causes of the attacks and advise the Premier. It will conduct consultations with organised and representative organisations, affected communities and persons.

The Reference Group will be chaired by Judge Navi Pillay, previous United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, with attorney Comfort Ngidi as Vice-Chair, and Paddy Kearney, Vasu Gounden, Karen Lotter, Muzi Ntombela and Stephanie Miller as members.

The Reference Group held its first meeting on 17 April 2015, and will submit a preliminary report within three months, followed by a final report on or before 31 October 2015. Secretariat support to the Reference Group will be provided by the African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes (ACCORD), based in Durban. ACCORD is an independent conflict management institute that has a more than 20 year history of working throughout Africa to bring African solutions to challenges on the continent.

Judge Navi Pillay was United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights from 2008 to 2014. A previous judge of the High Court of South Africa, she has also served as a judge of the International Criminal Court and President of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda.

Comfort Ngidi is practicing attorney, and Director of his own law firm based in Durban. He was previously a Commissioner with the Judge Alexander Commission, Coordinator for the Centre for Community and Labour Studies, and part-time law lecturer at the University of Zululand.

Paddy Kearney is a consultant to the KwaZulu-Natal Christian Council and chairs the Denis Hurley Centre Trust. He was the founding Director for the Diakonia Council of Churches.

Vasu Gounden is the Executive Director of ACCORD. He is an attorney, mediator, trainer and researcher in the field of conflict resolution and has been involved in mediation work in Somalia, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Vasu Gounden was also appointed by the South African Government as an Advocate for Social Cohesion.

Karen Lotter is a writer and photographer, media trainer and website designer. She further creates and runs social media campaigns and teaches online writing courses at SA Writers College.

Muzi Ntombela is a graduate of the then University of Natal and is Chief Executive Officer of Process Litho, a print company based in Durban. He is a council member at Ethekwini TVET College, an active community developer and very involved in church activities in KZN and beyond.

Stephanie Miller is a multi-business owner based in Durban and is involved with community projects. In the 1990's she worked as an investigator with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and was an Operations Centre Coordinator for the National Peace Accord.

From 15th to the 16th of April 2015, a roundtable discussion on Liberia was organised by ACCORD, focussing on the current peacebuilding context in post-Ebola Liberia. The discussion aimed at assessing the impact of the virus and the responses of those on the ground. It also evaluated the effect on the Liberian government in regards to peacebuilding and reconciliation.

The discussion organised at the ACCORD's headquarter in Durban brought together various civil societies working on issues of peacebuilding in Liberia. The participants included Mr. Nathaniel Walker (Consultant and Programme Manager for the Strengthening Local Mechanism for Peace), Prof Sayndee Debbey (Professor of Peace and Conflict Studies at the Kofi Annan Institute for Conflict Transformation, University of Liberia), Mr. Edward Mulbah (Senior Advisor at the Liberia Peacebuilding Office, Ministry of Internal Affairs), Mr. Roosevelt Woods (Executive Director at FIND- Foundation of International Dignity), Ms. Victory Wolile (Executive Director at West African Network for Peace), Ms. Carolyn Myers Zoduah (Executive Director at AGENDA) and Prince Kreplah (Team Leader at WASH Consortium Group).

The discussion was an opportunity for civil society to inform ACCORD about challenges facing the country and how it could engage the country in an effective manner in terms of national Peacebuilding and Reconciliation roadmap. The civil society discussed the current engagement of ACCORD and the African Peacebuilding Coordination Programme in Liberia.

The civil society emphasised the need to invest in the economy which was badly affected, engage with local partners, empower women and rebuild health facilities. The attention should be more on post-Ebola recovery by considering youth employment, social cohesion and provision of social needs of the population.

On April 16 2015, the civil society met with the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO)'s Deputy Director General of the Branch of Diplomatic Training, Research and Development, Ms Maud Dlomo in Pretoria. The meeting was an occasion for the Liberian activists to engage with South African diplomats in regards to the post-conflict reconstruction and development program and a sustainable collaboration with the South African government.

ACCORD's work in the area of peacebuilding is led by the Peacebuilding Unit, particularly through its engagements focusing on Liberia and South Sudan. For more information contact Ms Lesley Connolly, Senior Programme Officer in the Peacebuilding Unit at Lesley@accord.org.za.

A delegation from ACCORD have attended the 2nd African Think Tank Summit, held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia from 6 – 8 April. The event was attended by over 60 think tanks, with participants from 30 countries. The first Summit was held in Pretoria, South Africa in February 2014, and was organised by the African Capacity Building Foundation, African Leadership Center, Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung, Konrad-Andenauer-Stiftung and the Think Tanks and Civil Societies Program, University of Pennsylvania.

The theme for the 2nd Summit was The Rise of African Think Tanks. ACCORD presented on bridging the divide between theory and practice. The aim of the Summit was to both reflect and share. Presenters from a range of African Think tanks showcased their organisations' best practices and innovations for shaping key policy issues, mobilising resources, engaging policymakers, the media and public, and assessing and communicating value and impact. Themes dominating the discussions included: what is a think tank, how to maintain autonomy from funding, sustainability and how think tanks do business. With ACCORD already an active policy partner on the continent the Summit offered an opportunity to both share experiences from ACCORD's rich 23 history and learn from the paths blazed by others. The holding of a 2nd Summit is a key milestone on the path towards a pan-African think tank network that can support the continent's continued development.

"Africa's Think Tanks are potential incubators for leading ideas for Africa's transformation, thus providing invaluable space for a rare form of intellectual leadership and intergenerational exchanges. The challenge... is to translate all of this into meaningful change for the continent." Dr.Funmi Olonisakin, Founding Director, African Leadership Centre.

"...policymakers and civil society throughout the developed and the developing world face the common problem of bringing expert knowledge to bear on government decision-making." Dr. James G. McGann, Senior Fellow and Director, Think Tanks and Civil Society Program, University of Pennsylvania.

"Soft power is determined not only by economic strength, but also by the ability of states to produce knowledge and influence thinking. The number of Think Tanks in a country is indicative of this." Dr. Jakkie Cilliers, Executive Director, Institute for Security Studies.

'Vusa izizwe namhlanje!' (Wake up the nations today!) was the motto of the World Alliance of Religions Peace Summit in Africa at which the ACCORD was represented by Prof Jannie Malan, Senior Researcher and Managing Editor of the African Journal on Conflict Resolution. A diverse audience of about 500, including representatives of youth and women's organisations and networks, was inspired by two days of enthusiastic presentations and striking videos in the Z.K. Matthews Great Hall at the University of South Africa, Pretoria, South Africa.

This well-organised meeting, held on 30 and 31 March, was a follow-up to the September 2014 summit in Seoul, South Korea, which was attended by approximately 200,000 people, and which received media coverage from over 100 national broadcasting companies around the world.

The pivotal message of the Pretoria summit was a call to 'unite in heart and will and leave peace as an eternal legacy for our future generations'. Mr Man Hee Lee, Chairman of Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL), and Ms Nam Hee Kim, Chairwoman of the International Women's Peace Group (IWPG), presented keynote addresses.

The main message of the summit was a call for unity among religions and faiths, and action so as to ensure the lasting legacy of peace for future generations

The summit programme comprised:

plenary sessions of about 20 speakers altogether, including Ms Iris Nxumalo of the African Youth League, South African Home Affairs Minister Malusi Gigaba, South African Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng and six speakers representing world religions

three concurrent sessions (also with about 20 speakers altogether) on the themes youth, sport, culture and peace; women – African champions of change; and interfaith in the African context, also with about 20 speakers altogether.

Participants were given an opportunity to sign an 'Agreement to propose the enactment of an international law for the cessation of war'; in Seoul, the same agreement was signed by 2,000 influential guests. Delegates also appended their signatures to an 'Agreement for the alliance of religions' to bring about interfaith harmony.

During the side meeting themed 'Interfaith in the African context' there were clear signs of a cooperative orientation to promoting peace, but also some indications of groups' emphases on guarding inter-religious distinctions. Prof Malan aims to use the useful information gathered from the meeting in his research project which focuses on why well-meaning religious people can cause conflict and how open-minded religious persons and groups can promote peace. He came away from the summit convinced that participants must have been greatly enthused to work together in their religious and/or political contexts to make peaceful coexistence a reality.

For more information on the summit, or ACCORD's work in the area of religion, conflict prevention and the promotion of peace, please contact Prof Jannie Malan malanj@accord.org.za.

The African Union Commission (AUC) and the Regional Economic Communities (RECs) and Regional Mechanisms (RMs) have been developing a civilian standby roster since its conceptualisation in 2010. To date, significant progress has been made to improve the roster in order for the RECs and RMs to initiate the population of the roster to allow full operational capability. To achieve this, the AUC, the RECs and RMs in close collaboration with the German Center for International Peace Operations (ZIF) are further working on key priority areas regarding the development of the roster.

These priority areas include, finalisation and submission for approval of the Human Resources Policy Framework; finalisation of development of the roster database; testing and simulation exercise of the database; capacity building and support to personnel in charge of operating the roster; and outreach and marketing of the roster.

The AUC supported by TfP/ACCORD and other partners have organised an 'African Standby Capacity (ASC) Integrated Human Resource and Database Training Course' held from 23 – 31 March 2015 in Nairobi, Kenya. As part of its engagement and support, TfP/ACCORD also contributed towards achieving the aims and objectives of the training. The training led to increase in capacity of roster and human resources focal points as well as training officers on advanced human resources skills for the planning and management of the roster. Furthermore, it aimed to train the personnel on advanced features of the database and ensure their effective usage; and practical training on combining the database and human resources aspects in managing the roster. This was following on a 'Roster Introductory and an Introductory Human Resources Training' courses held in Harare, Zimbabwe in 2014. The introductory courses presented rostering as a concept, as well as the fundamental human resources concepts underpinning rostering.

The advanced training course was attended by 20 participants. Each REC and RM was represented by the Rostering Officer and a Human Resources Officer working closely with the roster project. The participants included the AU Commission which comprised of the Peace Support Operations Division (PSOD); the Mediation Unit, the Post Conflict Reconstruction and Development (PCRD) Unit and the Administration and Human Resource Management (AHRM). The RECs/RMs were the Eastern Africa Standby Force Coordination Mechanism (EASFCOM); the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS); the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS); the Southern African Development Community (SADC); and the Northern African Regional Capability (NARC). The advanced training was also attended by the training centres such as the Kofi Anan International Peacekeeping Training Center (KAIPTC); the International Peace Support Training Center (IPSTC); and the SADC Regional Peacekeeping Training Center (SADC RPTC).

The training was able to present advanced features of the roster database and it focused on the roster recruitment and deployment cycles and their interaction with the database. Participants were able to screen Curriculum Vitae (CVs) based on the Standard Manual Guidelines (SMG) and were able to make decisions following the screening of the CVs. Furthermore, they were equipped with competence based interview techniques and communication skills in order to appreciate the roles and responsibilities of the various stakeholders. Amid the focus of the training, participants were involved in practical training of the database and what pertinent information is needed to populate it. As part of its engagement to the roster development, TfP/ACCORD further assisted to strengthen the practical understanding of the interview approaches and techniques regarding the roster recruitment stages which will assist to recruit the qualified personnel for the roster database.

]]>ian@thinkteam.co.za (Ian Henderson)PeacekeepingThu, 09 Apr 2015 11:08:03 +0200ACCORD discuss MoU with IGAD in support of peace and security in the regionhttp://accord.org.za/news/90-general/1310-accord-discuss-mou-with-igad-in-support-of-peace-and-security-in-the-region
http://accord.org.za/news/90-general/1310-accord-discuss-mou-with-igad-in-support-of-peace-and-security-in-the-region

ACCORD has hosted H.E. Ambassador Tewolde Gebremeskel, the Director of Peace and Security at the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD). H.E. Ambassador Gebremeskel represented IGAD's Executive Secretary, H.E. Ambassador Mahboub Maalim. The visit enabled discussions between the regional body (IGAD is made up of Djibouti, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Kenya, South Sudan, Somalia, Sudan and Uganda) and ACCORD on areas of possible collaboration and support, and culminated in the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two organisations.

The purpose of the MoU will be to establish a strategic partnership between IGAD and ACCORD that will facilitate cooperation relating to preventing and resolving conflict in the region through preventive diplomacy, mediation, dialogue and peace building. IGAD and ACCORD share the common vision of a peaceful Horn of Africa region that is able to address its conflicts peacefully and in a sustainable way and have previously collaborated either directly or as part of wider regional and continental efforts. Most recently in September 2014, ACCORD partnered with IGAD to provide training aimed at empowering women mediators from Sudan and South Sudan.

The MoU was signed at a Roundtable in Pretoria hosted by ACCORD. The event was attended by the diplomatic community and think tanks reflected on IGAD's role and approach to mediation in the region. For more information on IGAD visit http://igad.int.